King Lear | Page 4

dowers, that future strife May be prevented now. The princes,
France and Burgundy, Great rivals in our youngest daughter's love,
Long in our court have made their amorous sojourn, And here are to be
answer'd.--Tell me, my daughters,-- Since now we will divest us both
of rule, Interest of territory, cares of state,-- Which of you shall we say
doth love us most? That we our largest bounty may extend Where
nature doth with merit challenge.--Goneril, Our eldest-born, speak first.
Gon. Sir, I love you more than words can wield the matter; Dearer than
eyesight, space, and liberty; Beyond what can be valu'd, rich or rare;
No less than life, with grace, health, beauty, honour; As much as child
e'er lov'd, or father found; A love that makes breath poor and speech
unable; Beyond all manner of so much I love you.
Cor. [Aside.] What shall Cordelia speak? Love, and be silent.
Lear. Of all these bounds, even from this line to this, With shadowy
forests and with champains rich'd, With plenteous rivers and
wide-skirted meads, We make thee lady: to thine and Albany's issue Be

this perpetual.--What says our second daughter, Our dearest Regan,
wife to Cornwall? Speak.
Reg. Sir, I am made of the selfsame metal that my sister is, And prize
me at her worth. In my true heart I find she names my very deed of love;
Only she comes too short,--that I profess Myself an enemy to all other
joys Which the most precious square of sense possesses, And find I am
alone felicitate In your dear highness' love.
Cor. [Aside.] Then poor Cordelia! And yet not so; since, I am sure, my
love's More richer than my tongue.
Lear. To thee and thine hereditary ever Remain this ample third of our
fair kingdom; No less in space, validity, and pleasure Than that
conferr'd on Goneril.--Now, our joy, Although the last, not least; to
whose young love The vines of France and milk of Burgundy Strive to
be interess'd; what can you say to draw A third more opulent than your
sisters? Speak.
Cor. Nothing, my lord.
Lear. Nothing!
Cor. Nothing.
Lear. Nothing can come of nothing: speak again.
Cor. Unhappy that I am, I cannot heave My heart into my mouth: I love
your majesty According to my bond; no more nor less.
Lear. How, how, Cordelia? mend your speech a little, Lest you may
mar your fortunes.
Cor. Good my lord, You have begot me, bred me, lov'd me: I Return
those duties back as are right fit, Obey you, love you, and most honour
you. Why have my sisters husbands if they say They love you all?
Haply, when I shall wed, That lord whose hand must take my plight
shall carry Half my love with him, half my care and duty: Sure I shall

never marry like my sisters, To love my father all.
Lear. But goes thy heart with this?
Cor. Ay, good my lord.
Lear. So young, and so untender?
Cor. So young, my lord, and true.
Lear. Let it be so,--thy truth then be thy dower: For, by the sacred
radiance of the sun, The mysteries of Hecate, and the night; By all the
operation of the orbs, From whom we do exist and cease to be; Here I
disclaim all my paternal care, Propinquity, and property of blood, And
as a stranger to my heart and me Hold thee, from this for ever. The
barbarous Scythian, Or he that makes his generation messes To gorge
his appetite, shall to my bosom Be as well neighbour'd, pitied, and
reliev'd, As thou my sometime daughter.
Kent. Good my liege,--
Lear. Peace, Kent! Come not between the dragon and his wrath. I lov'd
her most, and thought to set my rest On her kind nursery.--Hence, and
avoid my sight!--[To Cordelia.] So be my grave my peace, as here I
give Her father's heart from her!--Call France;--who stirs? Call
Burgundy!--Cornwall and Albany, With my two daughters' dowers
digest this third: Let pride, which she calls plainness, marry her. I do
invest you jointly in my power, Pre-eminence, and all the large effects
That troop with majesty.--Ourself, by monthly course, With reservation
of an hundred knights, By you to be sustain'd, shall our abode Make
with you by due turns. Only we still retain The name, and all the
additions to a king; The sway, Revenue, execution of the rest, Beloved
sons, be yours; which to confirm, This coronet part betwixt you.
[Giving the crown.]
Kent. Royal Lear, Whom I have ever honour'd as my king, Lov'd as my
father, as my master follow'd, As my great patron thought on in my
prayers.--

Lear. The bow is bent and drawn; make from the shaft.
Kent. Let it fall rather, though the fork invade The region